Implementing a dynamic cloud spectrum database as a mechanism for cataloging and controlling spectrum availability

ABSTRACT

A system and method are provided for implementing a dynamic cloud spectrum database to codify and store information on, and track the use of, spectrum resources made available by primary spectrum holders in an effort to facilitate spectrum management for networks using spectrum allocated through a Dynamic Spectrum Access scheme that allows the primary spectrum holders, or proxies assigned to manage a given allocations of spectrum, to temporarily “rent” access to the spectrum they hold to other entities. Spectrum may be listed in the database defined by a common unit measurement system according to a defined metric for quantifying spectrum. A time-frequency unit or TFU is defined according to a unit of spectrum being available for a specified time, e.g., 1 MHz of spectrum being available for use for 1 second at a given location. Spectrum resources negotiated in the disclosed transactions are represented and/or transferred in multiples of TFU&#39;s.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/603,261, entitled “Intelligent Spectrum Allocation Based on User Behavior Patterns For Efficient Spectrum Usage,” filed on Feb. 25, 2012. This application is related to co-pending International Patent Application Nos. (Attorney Docket Nos. P43616PCT and P43617PCT), filed on the same day as this application, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosed Embodiments

This disclosure relates to systems and methods for implementing a dynamic cloud spectrum database (CSD) to codify and store information on, and track the use of, spectrum resources made available by primary spectrum holders (PSH's). The disclosed CSD facilitates spectrum management for networks using spectrum allocated through a Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) scheme that allows the PSH's, or proxies assigned to manage a given allocations of spectrum, to temporarily “rent” access to the spectrum they hold to other entities.

2. Related Art

The last decade and a half has witnessed an explosion in growth in the use of, and requirements for, wireless data communications, particularly by individual users operating, for example, through licensed mobile cellular network operators. This growth continues unabated today as the numbers and types of wireless devices employed by the individual users to access all manner of wireless networks via various communication paths continue to multiply, increasing demand for available spectrum. As the increase in demand for wireless data access continues, the world is headed toward a global spectrum shortage. There is a finite amount of spectrum that can be tapped to support wireless data communication. Availability of wireless spectrum for the increasing numbers and types of mobile devices is key to the continued use of the spectrum to exchange data and for economic growth.

An availability of ever increasingly-capable wireless data communications has also created in individual customers an expectation of a certain quality of service. In short, individual wireless data communication consumers expect quality wireless data communications to be available anytime and anyplace. If solutions are not found, users of wireless devices will frustratingly experience increased instances of dropped calls and slow data speeds all while paying higher fees for access to the scarce resource that will be the wireless data and voice communication spectrum.

Currently, wireless devices are used to provide individual customers virtually instantaneous and continuous wireless access to email, social media, applications and streaming video. These wireless devices are estimated to use 25 to 125 times the amount of spectrum that was used by earlier generation cellular telephones. Various industry estimates expect growth in global mobile data traffic to double every 1-2 years for the foreseeable future.

Exclusive mobile spectrum licenses carve out to their licensees portions of the available spectrum that are used for wireless data and voice communication. Licensees in any geographic area include government agencies, which sometimes reserve communication spectrum to certain “required” wireless voice and data communications. A non-exhaustive list of these communications users includes broadcast radio and television communications, satellite communications, public safety and emergency services communications, military communications, and certain other commercial communication requirements to include, for example, communications with aircraft for navigation and air traffic control. Licensees in particular geographic areas also include mobile cellular network operators. A cursory review of the breakdown of the licensed spectrum for any particular geographic area reveals that the availability of new spectrum to support the assignment of additional exclusive licenses to any particular licensee is nearly exhausted.

A detailed review of the challenges faced by mobile cellular network operators starts with an overview of their operations. Mobile cellular network operators license spectrum bands for their exclusive use within a particular geographic region. These entities then contract with individual customers to provide certain levels of service with express or implied guarantees of connectivity, and of communications fidelity at increasing rates of delivery. As mobile cellular network communication traffic continues its dramatic increase, congestion occurs today and the congestion problem is forecast to rise significantly in coming years in the portions of the spectrum currently licensed to mobile cellular network operators to support wireless voice and data communications.

In the face of current and forecast issues regarding network congestion in their licensed spectrums, mobile cellular network operators have taken to purchasing additional exclusive spectrum licenses in the secondary market from other exclusive licensees (spectrum holders) whose licensed spectrum is underused or otherwise available. Buying additional spectrum licenses allows mobile cellular network operators to build or expand their networks and handle more customer traffic. In fact, in late 2011, one major mobile cellular network operator in the United States reached an agreement, subject to regulatory approval, to buy a license for a small swath of wireless communication spectrum (around 20 MHz) from several broadcast cable companies for an amount that was reported to be in excess of three and one half billion dollars.

Efforts are ongoing to optimize wireless data communication to make more effective use of available spectrum. Consider the available spectrum as a pipe with a finite maximum diameter. Ongoing efforts attempt to optimize the flow of data through that pipe, thereby reducing the amount of spectrum used. These efforts include use of compression techniques, video optimization and burst transmissions such that overall data transmission through the pipe is streamlined and optimized, i.e., techniques are implemented to pass larger amounts of data in what appears to be a smaller volume of flow through the pipe. Additional efforts are focused on concepts such as Wi-Fi offload or small cell development to ease the burden on the saturated portions of the spectrum exclusively licensed to mobile cellular network operators. All efforts at making data flow more efficient, thereby improving spectral efficiency, will reap benefits. Regardless of these efforts, however, the pipe will never get any bigger due to the fixed, finite spectrum covered by licenses. The above efforts may delay the inevitable. There will still come a time, however, when the currently licensed portions of the spectrum that support commercial mobile voice and data communications will become overburdened. When this overburdening occurs, a mobile cellular network operator has at its disposal methods, some of which are used today, by which to maintain service across its exclusively-licensed spectrum for all of its individual customers. Often these methods reduce the quality of service experienced by individual customers. Common techniques include, for example, mobile cellular network operators “throttling” rates at which data may be received by individual customers. Of course, as with any supply and demand scheme, a mobile cellular network operator can exact a premium from some percentage of its individual customers according to currently-licensed spectrum for its use to prioritize which of the individual customers get “throttled” last.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

A review of utilization of certain of the above-discussed licensed spectrums, other than those licensed to mobile cellular network operators, reveals that, although allocated to a specific entity for use at particularly scheduled times or on an as-needed basis, an overall rate of utilization of certain licensees spectrum may actually be very low. The spectrum that is allocated to certain services, other than commercial mobile wireless voice and data communication and Wi-Fi services, may experience actual overall average utilization rates as low as 1%. For example, some government entities only require high use of their spectrum in times of emergency. Theoretically, across the wireless spectrum, up to an estimated 4 GHz of spectrum is underused.

One industry solution that has been suggested would be to allow individual wireless devices to conduct autonomous spectrum sensing to detect unused spectrum and to tap into that spectrum for individual wireless device use on an ad hoc basis. This “open market” or “opportunistic” method, which allows the individual customer to seek out and use the most effective and most economical service regardless of how that service is delivered to the individual customer's wireless device, is not according to the current paradigm. This method appears, according to current technology, to pose a level of chaos that will not solve the problem. Additionally, spectrum holders whose spectrum may be accessed require full control of their spectrum at times without interference from randomly encroaching wireless devices. The spectrum sensing solution would disrupt such control and introduce interference. There may come a time when such an open market method may be feasibly implemented. At that time, it will be appropriate to include within that open market method a version of the brokering scheme discussed below.

Some have suggested that the allocation of spectrum should implement utility models based on fairness, content type, and differences in providers. This suggested solution is largely discounted as it is postulated to create fragmentation and lead to inefficiencies that would only exacerbate the currently-forecast difficulties. Others have suggested using cognitive pilot channels (wireless spectrum) to advertise available unused or underused spectrum. This “solution,” however, would require use of additional spectrum to implement the advertising and would be largely uncontrolled leading to increased chaos. Use of static databases to locate unused spectrum has also been proposed, but is not considered dynamic enough to manage the problem longer term. Spectrum required by individual users for any given period in any given location is dynamically changing, particularly when the users are mobile. This calls for requiring an equally dynamic automated solution by which to manage spectrum allocation. The problems of overcrowding in certain portions of the spectrum can be alleviated by executing a disciplined scheme to tap into the underused portions of the spectrum in a manner that meets the requirements of all of the respective licensees.

In contrast to the open market method described above is a controlled market method. The controlled market method is based on the mobile cellular network operator/individual customer model that is in place today. An individual customer does not generally access any spectrum except through the licensed spectrum controlled by the mobile cellular network operator that provides the service and equipment to the individual customer. It is in this model that the mobile cellular network operator provides a contracted-for level of service with certain guarantees and disclaimers, while exercising some modicum of control. For example, based on this relationship, the mobile cellular network operator can throttle an individual customer's access to wireless communications by slowing the rate at which those communications are provided to the individual customer's wireless device. The mobile cellular network operator could also block data transmissions from reaching the individual customer's wireless device. The mobile cellular network operator can also control what applications an individual customer may be able to access, and what applications the individual customer's wireless device may support. Because the controlled market method is the method generally in place today, the balance of this disclosure will deal with implementation of the disclosed systems and methods in a controlled market. It should be recognized, however, that the systems and methods according to this disclosure may be equally enabled in an open market method if an open market method becomes the paradigm for supporting individual customers' wireless communication needs. Also, the term mobile cellular network operator is used to generically refer to any commercial provider that exclusively licenses spectrum in support of providing wireless data and voice communications to a number of individual customers/users on a for-fee basis.

Based on the above shortfalls, a new paradigm is emerging for global spectrum optimization in a controlled environment. New to the wireless industry is a discussion of temporary spectrum license rental/leasing as opposed to spectrum license sale via auction or secondary market transactions. Exclusive licensees of unused or underused spectrum may provide an amount of spectrum at a particular time, in a particular location, to the marketplace in which licensees that require additional spectrum may acquire temporary access to the offered spectrum for a fee or appropriate consideration. There is a worldwide push for regulations that allow licensed spectrum holders to temporarily transfer, e.g. rent or lease, access to their unused or underused spectrum to other entities requiring spectrum such as mobile cellular network operators. This creates a win-win situation where the other licensees gain access to additional spectrum resources, which would not otherwise be available, while the spectrum holders with unused spectrum get a financial incentive or other consideration. This may be particularly attractive to the large majority of licensed spectrum holders whose utilization is well less than 100%, but that are not able to relinquish the spectrum completely through sale or other transaction based on their need to keep the spectrum reserved to their own use in certain areas at certain times.

According to proposed schemes, multiple primary spectrum holders (PSH's) of underused spectrum may act as spectrum suppliers. Multiple alternate spectrum holders (ASH's), such as, for example, mobile cellular network operators, may seek to augment their own exclusively-licensed spectrum by renting spectrum from the spectrum suppliers as spectrum renters. The mobile cellular network operator needs to support its individual customers operating its individual wireless devices connected to the mobile cellular network. The mobile cellular network operator is in a best position to monitor the use of its network by its individual customers according to time and location. When the mobile cellular network operator determines that its licensed spectrum will not meet customer demand for a particular location at a particular time, e.g., busiest periods of the day, the mobile cellular network operator, acting as an ASH, may execute a transaction such as, for example, placing a real-time bid for spectrum, to temporarily acquire additional spectrum in a particular location at a particular time that has been made available by a PSH in a controlled marketplace.

Prior to offering portions of its underused spectrum to the marketplace for access by potential ASH's, the PSH generally needs to be assured that it can regain control of its spectrum when a need arises. A clear mechanism to support such assurances is provided in the exemplary embodiments discussed in this disclosure. As discussed in this disclosure, DSA generally refers to a scheme that allows PSH's to temporarily rent their spectrum to ASH's on the condition that the rented spectrum can be relinquished to the PSH on demand. It is estimated that, through implementation of such a scheme across all spectrum to 6 GHz, as much as 75% of the underused 4 GHz of spectrum may be recovered for use by multiple ASH's. This complete recovery would require full implementation of the disclosed brokering scheme and full cooperation from all PSH's. Actual implementation may initially realize a recovery of spectrum at well less than 2 GHz as it is anticipated that certain PSH's may choose not to participate, and others may temper their participation, at least initially. To put the above numbers in some perspective, however, it should be realized that a 500 MHz recovery would effectively double the amount of spectrum currently available for mobile cellular network communications.

A challenge in achieving an efficient and scalable DSA scheme that becomes economically viable is effective spectrum management. In other words, given the temporary lease of spectrum to different operators or users, in different locations, for different time periods, a challenge resides in determining how best to coordinate the leasing of the spectrum so that the brokering scheme maximizes: (1) the incentive for the ASH's; (2) the incentive for the PSH's and (3) experience for the user/operator that is paying for that spectrum (ideally, with minimal cost), all while avoiding interference and assuring the PSH that its spectrum is recoverable on demand. This is an optimization problem that lends itself to the use of computational analytics. Currently, there are no known global spectrum management schemes with computational analytics across networks employing DSA. While mobile cellular network operators do make use of spectrum management within their own networks, there is no cross-network, or cross-operator, spectrum management between potential ASH's. Today, with spectrum exclusively licensed, there has been no push for a large scale spectrum management. However, with future spectrum exhaustion of their exclusively-licensed spectrum expected by carriers, the larger pool of rented spectrum provides a greater pool of spectrum resources from which to optimize utilization, i.e., optimization would no longer be limited to just the local spectrum resources of each individual carrier.

An overarching cloud spectrum services (CSS) approach to realizing a form of DSA that is centered on the cloud is proposed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/603,261. Specifically, the cloud is envisioned as the mechanism to enable management, in real-time or in near real-time, of the dynamic allocation, reclaiming, de-allocation, auditing, and optimizing the use of spectrum that has been the subject of a transaction between PSH's and operators/users/content providers acting as ASH's.

U.S. patent application No. [Attorney Docket No. 064-0060] proposes a two-level spectrum management analytic optimization that effectively bifurcates spectrum optimization requirements and responsibilities between a regional global spectrum broker and a series of local spectrum brokers acting under an umbrella of the regional global spectrum broker. The approach described in the [0060] Application proposes to keep from overburdening the regional global spectrum broker's, and the local spectrum brokers′, computational capabilities by effectively managing individual optimization requirements between the global spectrum broker and the local spectrum brokers. That application specifically discusses a concept of local and global optimization for spectrum management according to a specified brokering scheme.

As an aid to the optimization described in the [0060] Application, U.S. patent application No. [Attorney Docket No. 064-0061] describes inputs, outputs and guidelines of an algorithm used to resolve spectrum optimization at one or both of the global and local spectrum broker levels described in the [0060] Application. Each of the inputs discussed in the Application may be employed to generate appropriate output profiles for multi-mode devices (MMD's), or wireless devices, in support of the DSA. The [0061] Application specifically describes implementing a spectrum management analytics (SMA) algorithm that references a plurality of enumerated inputs to generate a set of output parameters for use by an MMD in optimizing spectrum use for the spectrum resources made available to that MMD. The SMA algorithm is described as being a part of a cloud spectrum broker (CSB) analytic. The CSB analytic provides for: (1) Managing CSS transactions involving transfer of spectrum resources from participating primary spectrum holders (PSH's) to one or more alternate spectrum holders (ASH's); (2) Reclaiming spectrum resources from an ASH back to the corresponding PSH on request; (3) Initiating queries to PSH's based on requests from MMD's, or through other ASH's; and (4) Performing a series of predictive resource allocations that may optimize spectrum use as the MMD moves between a number of regions.

The multiple and varied sources of information generally described in the [0061] Application provide information regarding the following: a radio interface 115, MMD capabilities 120, base station capabilities 125, information from geographic databases 130, information from a spectrum availability database 135 (such as a CSD), information from an MMD profile database 140, and information regarding outstanding requests 145, which may represent a compilation of application characteristics 150, MMD mobility models 155, and information on visible networks 160.

To realize the CSS approach described in the 261 Provisional Application, a cloud spectrum database (CSD) is proposed to serve as a dynamic and interactive repository for several of the classes of information discussed in the [0061] Application associated with a dynamically changing listing of spectrum availabilities.

Exemplary embodiments may provide systems and methods for implementing a dynamic and interactive CSD by which spectrum availability is defined and cataloged according to individual data elements and offered for transactions with ASH's and MMD's according to a common unit measurement system.

Exemplary embodiments may define the common unit measurement system according to a defined metric for quantifying spectrum. In this disclosure, an example of the defined metric will be referred to as a time-frequency unit or TFU. One TFU may be defined, for example, according to a unit of spectrum being available for a specified time, e.g., 1 MHz of spectrum being available for use for 1 second at a given location. Every spectrum resource negotiated in CSS transactions may be represented (transferred) in multiples of TFU's, each TFU representing a contiguous time by frequency tile.

Exemplary embodiments may provide a CSD that stores TFU's and associated availability windows, and other information, regarding spectrum availability as provided by PSH's. The CSD may represent a database of spectrum availability from the various PSH's that can be obtained by ASH's or MMD's via a transaction including an exchange of monetary or other consideration in a spectrum availability marketplace.

Exemplary embodiments may provide a CSD that facilitates “rental” of available spectrum by ASH's, including content providers (such as mobile cellular network operators) or end-users (such as individual MMD's). Each spectrum availability entry in the CSD will generally be associated with a providing PSH that is responsible for updating the CSD information when new TFU's, as increments of available spectrum, become available, or when existing entries associated with that PSH change.

Exemplary embodiments may associate certain information with each spectrum availability entry in the CSD. The proposed structure for the CSD may describe spectrum availability according to a plurality of information entries, including at least a frequency band (band ID), a start frequency and an end frequency.

Exemplary embodiments may provide, for each frequency-identified combination of spectrum availability, a series of individual parameters that may be used to further describe the spectrum availability in order that an ASH or MMD may make an offer for acquisition of several units of spectrum availability according to the information provided. These individual parameters may include: (1) an indication that the available spectrum is licensed; (2) an indication that the available spectrum is subject to being reclaimed by the PSH that made the spectrum available to the CSD, i.e., subject to pre-emption by the PSH, with appropriate details of the immediacy, for example, of the recall; (3) a start time of the spectrum availability; (4) an end time of the spectrum availability; (5) a maximum power level that the PSH authorizes to use over this available spectrum; (6) a geographic location regarding this available spectrum; (7) a cost (monetary or other consideration) per TFU, or other appropriate unit price, for use of the available spectrum; and (8) an indication of an identity of an ASH or MMD using a particular portion of the available spectrum based on a transaction such that, in a case that a PSH wants to reclaim the spectrum that it made available, but that is in use, the CSD will facilitate contact with the entity to ensure that the entity's ceases operation in that spectrum.

Exemplary embodiments, by defining start times and end times for the spectrum availability, may provide an “availability window” that allows the PSH to specify when the spectrum resource is available for use/renting. Available TFU entries may become automatically unavailable outside the specified availability windows, or otherwise when, for example, a “STOP <time>” message may be received from the corresponding PSH, i.e, the PSH that made the spectrum available. The “STOP <time>” message may be the mechanism used by the PSH to reclaim previously made-available spectrum within the CSD when a need arises within a particular availability window. On occasions when circumstances arise that require the PSH to reclaim the use of its spectrum, the CSD may be the vehicle that notifies the associated ASH involved in the spectrum availability transaction, if any, to discontinue its use of the reclaimed spectrum no later than the value indicated by the <time> parameter of the STOP message. The CSD thereby may cause information to be transmitted to the controlling ASH, or directly to a using MMD, to cease use of the additional spectrum made available by the PSH.

In exemplary embodiments, spectrum availability entries stored in a CSD may be generally static, may slowly change over time or may be very dynamic, e.g., changing at increments of less than 100 ms. The rate at which the information stored in the CSD changes may be highly dependent on the frequency band and usage of that band.

Exemplary embodiments may provide a CSD that may facilitate one or more of the following functions: (1) Managing CSS transactions involving the transfer of spectrum resources from at least one participating PSH to one or more ASH's, or otherwise an MMD, or individual wireless device; (2) Reclaiming of spectrum resources from an ASH back to the corresponding PSH upon request of the PSH for immediate release of its spectrum to its own use; (3) Initiating queries to PSH's based on requests either directly received from MMD's or through other ASH's; and (4) Evaluating an MMD's mobility model and, based on the evaluated MMD's mobility model, performing a series of predictive resource allocations that may optimize spectrum use as the MMD moves between a number of regions.

Exemplary embodiments may provide mechanisms by which an entity controlling the CSD may (1) notify the CSD that a portion of a spectrum availability has been allocated, identifying the ASH to which the portion of the spectrum availability has been allocated and (2) notify the CSD that a portion of the spectrum availability that was previously allocated has been de-allocated and returned to the PSH at the request of the PSH or according to pre-negotiated conditions with the PSH. The allocation of the temporary resource will be highly localized and require the above-discussed promise that the allocated temporary resource can be returned to the control of the PSH according to the PSH's individual needs for that resource.

These and other features, and advantages, of the disclosed systems and methods are described in, or apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods for implementing a dynamic CSD to codify and store information on, and track the use of, spectrum resources made available by PSH's, the CSD facilitating spectrum management for networks using spectrum allocated through a Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) scheme that allows the PSH's, or proxies assigned to manage a given allocation of spectrum, to temporarily “rent” access to the spectrum they hold to other entities will be described, in detail, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of individual information and parameters that may be employed to define spectrum availability in a CSD according to this disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computation engine supporting and employing a CSD for spectrum management according to this disclosure; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method for supporting and employing a CSD to implement spectrum management according to this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

The systems and methods for implementing a dynamic and interactive CSD to codify and store information on, and track the use of, spectrum resources made available by PSH's, the CSD facilitating spectrum management for networks using spectrum allocated through a type of a DSA scheme that allows the PSH's, or proxies assigned to manage a given allocation of spectrum, to temporarily “rent” access to the spectrum they hold to other entities will generally refer to this specific utility for those systems and methods. Exemplary embodiments described and depicted in this disclosure should not be interpreted as being specifically limited to any particular information and parameter inputs in any particular database format, to making use of any particular program for implementing the spectrum allocation using a database, or to any specific system infrastructure for exchanging information with PSH's, ASH's or MMD's, particularly for populating the database.

While reference will appear to be directed, throughout this disclosure, to application of the disclosed systems and methods to a conventionally understood “controlled market” method for providing wireless communication services, it should be understood that the systems and methods according to this disclosure are not limited to the conventionally understood “controlled market” method. The systems and methods according to this disclosure may be equally applicable to any method for providing wireless communication services through direct interaction with individual MMD's. The discussion references application to the “controlled market” method only for familiarity and ease of understanding of the proposed implementation.

Specific reference to, for example, any particular MMD, wireless device or mobile cellular network configuration should be understood as being exemplary only, and not limited, in any manner, to any particular class of MMD's or other wireless devices used in any particular configuration of a wireless network, whether fixed or mobile, or as autonomous units capable of executing transactions for available spectrum directly with a database such as the described CSD.

Individual features and advantages of the disclosed systems and methods will be set forth in the description that follows, and will be, in part, obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the features described in this disclosure. The features and advantages of the systems and methods according to this disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the individual elements, and combinations of those elements, as particularly pointed out in the appended claims. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter of this disclosure.

The [0060] and [0061] Applications explain that review of spectrum use indicates that there are a large number of inputs that may be considered in optimizing spectrum use. These inputs include time-based, location-based and frequency-based specifics. Information collected and stored in a CSD according to this disclosure is intended to capture each of these aspects in a single location as part of a cloud based spectrum marketplace. PSH's whose spectrum is underused or otherwise can be made available may employ the marketplace to dynamically barter or auction their spectrum availability by listing a number of relevant time-based, location-based and frequency-based parameters relevant to the transaction, as well as a proposed unit cost. With implementation of such a marketplace, PSH's who know how often, how much, and generally at what times, they employ the spectrum exclusively licensed to them, may populate the CSD with information appropriate to catalog their proposed spectrum availability. PSH's may indicate periods when their spectrum is available, in order that potential ASH's as entities that require or desire additional spectrum services, perhaps at specific times in specific locations, may enter into a transaction based on the listed periods of spectrum availability provided to the marketplace via the CSD.

The availability of the spectrum to the CSD will sometimes be subject to the PSH's ability to reclaim that spectrum on demand preempting the use of the spectrum by an ASH or MMD. This disclosure will interchangeably refer to such an occurrence as reclaiming or preempting spectrum use. This capacity is part of the system that implements the CSD-based marketplace scheme. This requirement, and the level of uncertainty, may also drive the amount of a fee, or other consideration, that the ASH may be willing to offer for the spectrum availability. If, for example, it is more unlikely than likely that the spectrum will need to be reclaimed immediately in, for example, a peak period for operations by the ASH, that spectrum may garner a higher cost per TFU than spectrum that may be immediately recallable and is likely to be recalled on some routine basis.

The CSD may provide the basis by which the marketplace may oversee transactions regarding available spectrum according to a mechanism incumbent to the CSD that can also record, in a manner that may inform at least the PSH, what entity or entities are “renting” available spectrum of the PSH at any particular point in time. This may be appropriate so that the PSH can indicate to a renting ASH, based on information in the CSD and/or via the CSD, a requirement to reclaim the spectrum to the PSH's use.

FIG. 1 illustrates an overview 100 of individual information and parameters that may be employed to define spectrum availability in a CSD according to this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, any particular entry regarding spectrum availability in, for example, the CSD, may have associated with numerous defining parameters. These defining parameters may include, for example, identification of a frequency band 110, and/or separate implication of the start frequency 115 and an end frequency 120, which may be used cooperatively or independently to define the frequency of the spectrum availability.

The defining parameters may include information regarding the PSH's control over the spectrum be made available. This information may include, for example, whether the spectrum is licensed 125, and any conditions on potential preemption 130 by the PSH.

The defining parameters may include information on a specified start time 135 and a specified end time 140, which taken together specify an “availability window” for this particular spectrum availability. The definition of availability window will aid an ASH or MMD in determining whether a particular offered spectrum availability meets the requirements of the ASH or MMD. When taken in combination with definition of details regarding potential preemption, the availability window provides a best guess by the PSH regarding its ability to provide uninterrupted spectrum availability. Should the PSH find it necessary to reclaim spectrum previously made available while in use, the PSH may, for example, send a STOP <time> message which effectively resets the end time parameter 140, to a current or soon to expire time, thereby effectively redefining the availability window.

The defining parameters may include information on a maximum power level 145 that the PSH sets for use in the spectrum availability.

The defining parameters may include information on a reference location 150 for the spectrum availability. As indicated above, spectrum availability includes at least three components. These are (1) the frequency-based component, which is addressed by elements 110-120 discussed above, (2) the time-based component, which is addressed by elements 130-140 discussed above, and (3) the location-based component, which is addressed by specifying a reference location according to known geographic positioning methods. Although indicated in FIG. 1 is potentially including the known geographic reference point parameters of latitude, longitude, altitude and radius, it should be understood that definition of the reference location 150 for the spectrum availability in the CSD is not limited to specification of these known geographic reference point parameters and may be specified according to other known methods.

The defining parameters may include information on any other covered parameters 155 that the PSH chooses to specify for informing “customer” entities of any additional details that may be helpful in determining to acquire temporary access to the specified spectrum availability.

The defining parameters may include information on a particular cost per spectrum unit, specified in FIG. 1 as “Cost Per Time-Frequency Unit” 160. As indicated above, this disclosure uses reference to TFU's to provide a common framework for the discussion. It should be understood that other metrics may be used in place of a TFU, and that “cost” may be met according to monetary or other considerations. It should be further understood that individual costs for spectrum availability, measured in TFU's may be predicated on any number of factors by which the PSH may seek to maximize its profits. The PSH may, for example, study usage patterns in a particular geographic location and establish different costs per TFU for different time frames, for different locations, and/or for different frequencies. Further, as indicated above, the PSH may exact a higher premium for spectrum made available with the guarantee that the spectrum will not be preempted in a particular availability window, or otherwise with a guarantee that a specified reasonable delay between notification of preemption and actual preemption may be provided to the ASH or MMD in a particular availability window.

The defining parameters may include information, updated once available spectrum is allocated according to a particular transaction, regarding an address and/or an identification of a spectrum user 165 that acquired the spectrum for use under the terms of the transaction. Updating the CSD with information regarding what entity may be making use of the available spectrum may be appropriate to aid the CSD in facilitating return of the spectrum to a particular PSH when the particular PSH indicates its need to reclaim the spectrum thereby preempting use by the entity that acquired the spectrum through the transaction.

It should be understood that, with regard to spectrum availability in general, and the several defining parameters shown in FIG. 1, the information provided may remain reasonably static over a particular timeframe, may change slowly over that particular timeframe, or may change very dynamically. Because certain elements of the defining parameters may change very dynamically, the CSD each be responsive to these dynamic changes in the information provided. An ability to keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape of the marketplace may define a requirement for a fully automated computation engine to appropriately support and employ the CSD in a manner that accounts for the dynamically changing conditions regarding any of the specified parameters on a real-time or near real-time basis.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computation engine 200 supporting and employing a CSD 260 for spectrum management according to this disclosure. The exemplary computation engine 200 is available to facilitate interaction with the CSD 260 in order to, for example, determine what spectrum may be available in a specific location for a specified period of time and in a particular frequency band, as well as defining what a specific user entity may have to offer in compensation in order to gain access to the spectrum. The CSD 260 is an entity that manages the information provided from, and acts as an interface to, the various participating PSH's. The CSD 260 provides a vehicle by which to commonly represent spectrum availability. The CSD 260 represents more than simply a catalog of spectrum availability. Rather, the CSD 260 provides an interactive vehicle by which the exemplary computation engine 200 may efficiently manage transactions regarding available spectrum provided by individual PSH's, to include a mechanism for the return of spectrum to the use of the PSH upon request from the PSH to reclaim that spectrum.

The exemplary computation engine 200 may include a user interface 210 by which an individual or entity tasked with monitoring and/or overseeing interaction with, and fidelity of, the CSD 260 may make manual inputs to the exemplary computation engine 200, and may otherwise communicate information via the exemplary computation engine 200 to one or more PSH's, ASH's or MMD's. The user interface 210 may be configured as one or more conventional mechanisms that permit an individual or entity to input information to the exemplary computation engine 200. The user interface 210 may include, for example, such mechanisms as a keyboard and/or mouse, or a touchscreen with “soft” buttons for communicating commands and information to the exemplary computation engine 200. The user interface 210 may alternatively include a microphone by which an individual or entity may provide oral commands to the exemplary computation engine 200 to be “translated” by a voice recognition program or otherwise. The user interface 210 may otherwise comprise simply a data port by which compilations of data to be input to the exemplary computation engine 200 may be read from transportable digital media. In such a scenario, data used for operation of the exemplary computation engine 200 may be compiled at, for example, separate user workstations and provided to the exemplary computation engine 200 by physically, or otherwise, transferring the digital data media from the workstation at which the information is recorded to the exemplary computation engine 200 to be read by a compatible digital data media reader acting as a user interface 210 in the exemplary computation engine 200.

The significant amounts of dynamic information to be catalogued in the CSD 260 will likely not be input via a manual user interface 210. Rather, information from one or more PSH's, ASH's or MMD's will be automatically received by the exemplary computation engine 200 through, for example, an external authorized communication interface 250, or some other automated channel, to be stored in and managed by the CSD 260. This level of automation and data exchange is appropriate to ensure that the exemplary computation engine 200 manages the CSD 260 in real time, or near real-time, in order to keep pace with the dynamically changing requirements provided by the one or more PSH's, ASH's or MMD's.

The exemplary computation engine 200 may include one or more local processors 220 for individually undertaking the processing and control functions for storing information in, and interacting with the CSD 260. Processor(s) 220 may include at least one conventional processor or microprocessor that interprets and executes instructions and processes data, incoming for, and outgoing from the CSD 260.

The exemplary computation engine 200 may include one or more data storage devices 230. Such data storage device(s) 230, which may include hard disk storage as well as solid-state devices, may be used to store data, and operating programs or applications to be used by the exemplary computation engine 200, and specifically by the processor(s) 220. Data storage device(s) 230 may include a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device that stores information and instructions for execution by the processor(s) 220. Data storage device(s) 230 may also include a read-only memory (ROM), which may include a conventional ROM device or another type of static storage device that stores static information and instructions for execution by the processor(s) 220. The data storage device(s) 230 may be those that are integral to the exemplary computation engine 200, or otherwise may be remotely located from, and accessible to, the exemplary computation engine 200.

The exemplary computation engine 200 may include at least one data display device 240 by which information regarding the status of the CSD 260, information provided to, or output from, the CSD 260, or operations of transactions by the CSD 260 may be monitored by an individual user or a user entity tasked with ensuring the fidelity of the CSD 260. The data display device 240 may be configured as one or more conventional mechanisms that display information to individuals or entities interacting with the exemplary computation engine 200 for operation of the exemplary computation engine 200, or otherwise for interacting with the CSD 260.

The exemplary computation engine 200 may include an external authorized communication interface 250. The an external authorized communication interface 250 may incorporate a plurality of individual information exchange interfaces by which the exemplary computation engine 200 may communicate the one or more PSH's, ASH's or MMD's to populate the CSD 260. This communication may include, for example, obtaining from PSH's indications of available spectrum by which to populate the CSD 260, and obtaining from the ASH's and MMD's offers to purchase available spectrum. The exemplary external authorized communication interface 250, as the name implies, may include a capacity to determine an identity of an entity, e.g., a PSH, an ASH, or an MMD, attempting to interact with the CSD 260. In this manner, the exemplary external authorized communication interface 250 acts as a gatekeeper to verify authorization, according to known methods, of a particular entity to access the CSD 260 for providing information to, or conducting transactions with, the CSD 260. Information regarding access to the CSD 260, to include authorization of specific users, may be regulated by some external entity whose mandate is to oversee and monitor spectrum optimization, which the CSD 260 is intended to facilitate.

All of the various components of the exemplary computation engine 200, as depicted in FIG. 2, may be connected by one or more data/control busses 270. The data/control bus(ses) 270 may provide internal wired or wireless communication between the various components of the exemplary computation engine 200. In a preferred embodiment, the data/control bus(ses) 270 will provide wireless communication to cloud components including at least the CSD 260. Based on the cloud-based nature of the system architecture supporting the CSD 260, it should be understood that all or some of the components of the exemplary computation engine 200 may be remotely located with respect to each other as actual or virtual logical components of the system.

It is anticipated that the various disclosed elements of the exemplary computation engine 200 may be arranged in combinations of sub-systems as individual components or combinations of components, integral to a single unit or remotely dispersed as a plurality of elements or sub-units comprising the exemplary computation engine 200.

The exemplary embodiments may include a method for supporting and employing a CSD to implement spectrum management. FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of such an exemplary method. As shown in FIG. 3, operation of the method commences at Step S3000 and proceeds to Step S3100.

In Step S3100, a CSD may be populated with information regarding available spectrum, and listing parameters associated with the available spectrum including location, time and frequency parameters for the available spectrum. Operation of the method proceeds to Step S3200.

In Step S3200, a unit cost metric may be established by which to commonly represent individual units of quantifiable time, location and frequency-based amounts of spectrum. For the purposes of this disclosure, these units are referred to as the TFU's discussed in detail above. Once established, an indication of the cost metric may be included in the CSD in association with the specified spectrum availability, regardless of the form that the metric takes, including whether a requirement for compensation to the PSH for the available spectrum could be satisfied by monetary remuneration and/or alternatively by some other consideration. Operation of the method proceeds to Step S3300.

In Step S3300, information stored in the CSD may be employed to facilitate negotiation of a transaction with a user for the use of a certain amount of available spectrum. It is anticipated that all of the information that a particular user, ASH or MMD, may require to determine whether a particular amount of available spectrum meets its needs will be provided in the CSD. An indication of available spectrum resulting from the culmination of a transaction will be conveyed to the ASH or MMD for use. Operation of the method proceeds to Step S3400.

In Step S3400, the CSD may be automatically updated to associate an indication/identification of the user with the entries regarding available spectrum that has been allocated according to a transaction. The inclusion of this information is intended to, among other objectives, facilitate return of the use of the allocated available spectrum to the PSH upon an unscheduled request by the PSH for return of its spectrum. Operation of the method proceeds to Step S3500.

In Step S3500, information may be received from a PSH regarding reclaiming its spectrum to its own use. Operation of the method proceeds to Step S3600.

In Step S3600, the CSD may determine whether the requested spectrum availability to be reclaimed by the PSH is, in fact, in use by an ASH or MMD as a result of a transaction. Operation of the method proceeds to Step S3700.

In Step S3700, in instances where it is determined that the requested spectrum availability to be reclaimed by the PSH is being used by an ASH or MMD as a result of the transaction, the CSD will communicate to the ASH or MMD a requirement to cease operations in the requested spectrum availability to be reclaimed by the PSH. In such circumstances, the CSD may be automatically updated to indicate a change in the characterization of the spectrum in question. Operation of the method proceeds to Step S3900, where operation of the method ceases.

The disclosed embodiments may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor or multiple processors, may cause the processor or multiple processors to execute all or some of the steps of a method as outlined above.

The above-described exemplary systems and methods reference certain conventional terms and components to provide a brief, general description of a suitable communication and processing environment in which the subject matter of this disclosure, and particularly the disclosed dynamic and interactive CSD, may be implemented for familiarity and ease of understanding. Although not required, embodiments of the systems and methods according to this disclosure may be provided, at least in part, in a form of hardware circuits, firmware or software computer-executable instructions to carry out the specific functions described, including program modules, being executed by a processor or processors. It should also be understood that certain of the functions described above may be carried out by virtual logical elements that may be cloud-based. Generally, program modules include routine programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular data types.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be practiced with many types of communication equipment and computing system configurations.

Embodiments may be practiced in distributed network and/or cloud-based communication environments where tasks are performed by local and remote processing devices that are linked to each other by hardwired links, wireless links, or a combination of both through a communication network. In a distributed network environment, program modules may be located in local, remote and virtual logical cloud-based data storage devices.

Embodiments within the scope of this disclosure may also include non-transitory computer-readable media having stored computer-executable instructions or data structures that can be accessed, read and executed by processors using a compatible physical data reader, or executing an appropriate data reading scheme. Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a processor or processors. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, flash drives, thumb drives, data memory cards or other analog or digital data storage devices that can be used to carry or store desired program elements or steps in the form of accessible computer-executable instructions or data structures. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of the computer-readable media for the purposes of this disclosure.

The exemplary depicted sequence of executable instructions, or associated data structures for executing those instructions, represents one example of a corresponding sequence of acts for implementing the functions described in the method. The steps of the method, as depicted and described, are not intended to imply any particular order to the depicted steps, except as may be necessarily inferred when one of the depicted steps is a necessary precedential condition to accomplishing another of the depicted steps. Many of the operations and functions described may occur in parallel.

Although the above description may contain specific details, they should not be construed as limiting the claims in any way. Other configurations of the described embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods are part of the scope of this disclosure. This enables each user to use the benefits of the disclosure even if any one of the large number of possible applications, for example, any particular MMD, do not need a specific aspect of the functionality described and depicted in this disclosure. In other words, there may be multiple instances of the components, particularly individual MMD's, each processing the content in various possible ways. It does not necessarily need to be one system used by all end users. Accordingly, the appended claims and their legal equivalents should only define the disclosure, rather than any specific examples given. 

We claim:
 1. A method for implementing dynamic spectrum access, comprising: populating a database, using a processor, with information regarding spectrum availability based on inputs received from primary spectrum holders, the information including at least frequency information, time information, location information and cost information for the spectrum availability; employing, with the processor, the information regarding the spectrum availability to conclude a transaction that provides a portion of the spectrum availability to a user in return for compensation to a particular primary spectrum holder; outputting information to the user regarding the at least the portion of the spectrum availability provided to the user as a result of the transaction; and updating the database, with the processor, to include (1) a status of the at least the portion of the spectrum availability provided to the user as allocated, and (2) an identification of the user to whom the portion of the spectrum availability is allocated.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining a request from the particular primary spectrum holder to reclaim spectrum availability made available by the particular primary spectrum holder; querying the database, with the processor, to determine whether the requested spectrum availability is indicated as being allocated to a user and to obtain the identification of the user to whom the requested spectrum availability is allocated; and outputting information to the user to stop using the requested spectrum availability.
 3. The method of claim 2, the request from the particular primary spectrum holder including a time parameter by which the particular spectrum holder wants use of the requested spectrum availability by the user to cease, and the information output to the user includes the time parameter.
 4. The method of claim 1, the frequency information including at least one of (1) a frequency band identification, and (2) a start frequency and an end frequency for the spectrum availability.
 5. The method of claim 1, the time information including a start time and a stop time for the spectrum availability, the start time and the stop time defining an availability window for the spectrum availability.
 6. The method of claim 1, the location information including a latitude, a longitude, an altitude, and a radius of coverage from the latitude and longitude.
 7. The method of claim 1, the cost information being represented as a cost per time-frequency unit applied to the spectrum availability, the time-frequency unit including a common amount of spectrum and a common time reference for the spectrum availability.
 8. The method of claim 7, the common amount of spectrum being 1 MHz and the common time reference being 1 second resulting in the cost per time-frequency unit being based on spectrum availability at a rate of 1 MHz-second.
 9. The method of claim 1, the information on the spectrum availability used to populate the database further including additional characteristics for use of the spectrum as defined by the primary spectrum holder.
 10. The method of claim 9, the additional characteristics for use of the spectrum including at least a maximum power level to be used by a participating device using the spectrum availability.
 11. The method of claim 1, the user being a wireless multi-mode device.
 12. The method of claim 1, the user being an alternate spectrum holder that allots spectrum for use by a plurality of wireless multi-mode devices.
 13. The method of claim 1, the compensation being in the form of at least one of monetary compensation and other consideration paid by the user to gain access to the portion of the spectrum availability.
 14. A system for implementing dynamic spectrum access, comprising: an external communication interface that receives information regarding spectrum availability from primary spectrum holders, the information including at least frequency information, time information, location information and cost information for the spectrum availability; a dynamic and interactive database in which the received information regarding spectrum availability is stored; and a processor that is programmed to employ the information regarding the spectrum availability stored in the database to conclude a transaction that provides a portion of the spectrum availability to a user in return for compensation to a particular primary spectrum holder; output information via the external communication interface to the user regarding the portion of the spectrum availability provided to the user as a result of the transaction; and update the database to include (1) a status of the portion of the spectrum availability provided to the user as allocated, and (2) an identification of the user to whom the portion of the spectrum availability is allocated.
 15. The system of claim 14, the processor being further programmed to obtain a request from the particular primary spectrum holder to reclaim spectrum availability made available by the particular primary spectrum holder; query the database to determine whether the requested spectrum availability is indicated as being allocated to a user and to obtain the identification of the user to whom the requested spectrum availability is allocated; and output via the external communication interface information to the user to stop using the requested spectrum availability.
 16. The system of claim 15, the request from the particular primary spectrum holder including a time parameter by which the particular spectrum holder wants use of the requested spectrum availability by the user to cease, and the information output to the user includes the time parameter.
 17. The system of claim 14, the frequency information including at least one of (1) a frequency band identification, and (2) a start frequency and an end frequency for the spectrum availability,
 18. The system of claim 14, the time information including a start time and a stop time for the spectrum availability, the start time and the stop time defining an availability window for the spectrum availability.
 19. The system of claim 14, the location information including a latitude, a longitude, an altitude, and a radius of coverage from the latitude and longitude.
 20. The system of claim 14, the cost information being represented as a cost per time-frequency unit applied to the spectrum availability, the time-frequency unit including a common amount of spectrum and a common time reference for the spectrum availability.
 21. The system of claim 20, the common amount of spectrum being 1 MHz and the common time reference being 1 second resulting in the cost per time-frequency unit being based on spectrum availability at a rate of 1 MHz-second.
 22. The system of claim 14, the information on the spectrum availability used to populate the database further including additional characteristics for use of the spectrum as defined by the primary spectrum holders.
 23. The system of claim 22, the additional characteristics for use of the spectrum including at least a maximum power level to be used by a participating device using the spectrum availability.
 24. The system of claim 14, the user being a wireless multi-mode device.
 25. The system of claim 14, the user being an alternate spectrum holder that allots spectrum for use by a plurality of wireless multi-mode devices.
 26. The system of claim 14, the compensation being in the form of at least one of monetary compensation and other consideration paid by the user to gain access to the at least the portion of the spectrum availability.
 27. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute a method for implementing dynamic spectrum access, the method comprising: populating a database with information regarding spectrum availability based on inputs received from primary spectrum holders, the information including at least frequency information, time information, location information and cost information for the spectrum availability; employing the information regarding the spectrum availability to conclude a transaction that provides a portion of the spectrum availability to a user in return for compensation to a particular primary spectrum holder; outputting information to the user regarding the portion of the spectrum availability provided to the user as a result of the transaction; and updating the database to include (1) a status of the portion of the spectrum availability provided to the user as allocated, and (2) an identification of the user to whom the portion of the spectrum availability is allocated. 